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(No Model.)

\ F. W. BROOKS.

STREET GAR.

Patented Sept. 8, 1885.'

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N. PETERS. Phuwumngnpm, wmngmn. ne.

` UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE'.

FRANKLIN w. BROOKS, OF'Nnw YORK, N. Y.

STREET-CAR.

4 SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent N.325,908, datedSeptember 8, 1885. Application nien July 17, lees. '(No motel.)

T all whom/it may concern/z Be it known that I, FRANKLIN W. BRoOKs, acitizen of the United States, residing at New York city, New York, haveinvented new and useful Improvements in Street-Cars, of which thefollowing is a specification.

My invention relates to certain new and useful improvements instreet-cars, and especially to that class known as close cars. In thelatter class of cars,when used on crowded thory oughfares, it becomesdifficult and frequently impossible for the conductor to collect thefares of all the passengers when the aisle is full or crowded, as hecannot force his way through to the front platform and return, and as nomeanshas heretofore been provided for transit along the outside of theoar, it being hazardous and almost impossible for him to run on thestreet alongside the car.

The object of my invention is to provide a means in this class of carsfor facilitating the transit of the conductor from one end to the otherof the car at all times, and `especially when the same-is crowded; andwith this end in view my invention consists, broadly, in the idea ofproviding an ordinary close oar with an eXterior-foot walk or bridgefrom the front to the rear platform, and combining therewith a suitableexterior hand-rail or holdfast; and my invention further consists in thespecial details of construction, hereinafter explained, for carryinginto effect the generic features of my invention. A

I wish it understood that I am aware that whatareknownas open or summer7cars have been provided with foot-walks or steps arrangedlongitudinally, and which are utilized as a means of transit for theconductor, and also for ingress and egress of passengers; but in thisclass of cars the stanchions serveas hand-holds. I am not aware,however, that any provision has heretofore'been made for utilizing thefoot-walk with a close car, and,

indeed, it could not be without making pro-` vision also, ascontemplated by me, to furnish a hand-hold for the conductor.

In order that those skilled may fully understand my invention, Iwillproceed to describe the construction and advantages of the same,referring by letters to the accompanying drawings, in whichy Figure l isa side'elevation` of an ordinary close car embodying the features of myinvention. Fig. 2 is a cross-sectionl of the same, showing the steporbridge arranged in a plane with the platform. Fig. 8 is a similar viewshowing the foot-walk arranged in the same plane with the step of theplatform, and Fig. 4 is a crosssection of a car with my improvedfootwalk hinged or pivoted to the car, and showing also in elevation avibrating lever under the control of the conductor, and by means ofwhich the foot-walk may be swung upwardly and against the side of thecar when not desired for use.

In the several gures of the drawings, A represents an Ordinary foot-walkor longitudinal step arranged at any convenient altitude upon suitablehangers or angle-irons, and eX- tending fromone platform to the other.

B is a hand-rail or holdfast of any convenient form, but which I haveshown in the form of an ordinary round bar or tube secured in bracketsto the side of the car, and at such altitude from the foot-walk as torender it convenient for the purpose for which it is intended. This railmay be arranged above the windows, as shown at Figs. l, 2, 3, or, ifdesired, it may be placed below the windows, as shown at Fig. 4; but ineither case it is desirable that it should not project beyond the otherprojecting portions of the car.

The foot-walk A maybe rigidly secured in place, or, as illustrated atFig. 4, it may be hinged or pivoted to the .side of the car, and anysuitable means under the control of the conductor or driver employed forswinging or lifting itup out of the way. I have shown as one means foraccomplishing this result an ordinary foot-lever with its lower end iucontact with the back edge of the foot-walk. It is of course obviousthat in lieu of a foot -lever a longer one adapted to be operated byhand may be employed, and in either case that a ratchet and pawl may beused to hold the footwalk up, and it is also obvious that an ordi` narylifting-chain, gearing, or other suitable means may be employed foroperating the foot- Walk.

At Fig. 2 I have shown the foot-Walk provided near to its rear edge witha toe-strip, D, which serves as a guard to protect the side of the car.t

The foot-Walk may be made of any desired width; but I prefer to make itof such Width that it shall not project beyond the side of the car orthe usuai bead, E, or rib thereon. It may also be, as before stated,located atany convenient or desirable altitude; but I prefer to arrangeit Within the curve or bevel of the side of the ear underneath theseats.

It will be understood that many changes, and such as would naturally besuggested by a skilled mechanic familiar with car-building, may beadopted Without departing from the spirit of my invention.

Vhat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

A, hinged or pivotally connected to the side of the ear, in combinationwith suitable me- 3o chanical means connected to the car under thecontrol of the conductor or driver for swing- Y ing the foot-Walk intoor out of position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set 35 my hand in the presence oftwo subscribing Witnesses.

FRANKLIN W. BRooKs.n

Witnesses:

B. LEWIS BLAOKFORD, R. C. TODHUNTER.

